54 KAR NICOBAR 



wood {Sterculia alata), about three-quarters the length of the 

 hull, and sharp at either end, is fastened, and the correct level 

 of this float is maintained by each wing being bound to, and 

 resting in, the angle made by three intersecting pairs of hardwood 

 pegs, which are driven into the outrigger. The vessels are further 

 provided with ornamental projecting stem- and stern-pieces 

 {C. inophyllu})i), carved in a variety of designs, and sometimes 

 painted red. No paint or wood-oil is used on the canoes, but 

 the outer surface of the hull is charred all over, with the idea 

 of protecting it from the effects of the water. 



The paddles are about 4 feet long, very light and thin, made 

 of a hard red-brown wood {Garcinia speciosa), with lancet- 

 shaped blades, and handles without any form of cross-piece, 

 but flattened at the top. 



In the afternoon, Offandi came on board, and after drinking 

 a glass of rum, begged for a bottleful to take ashore. As this 

 request was not complied with, he cried threateningly in a 

 menacing tone, " What, you refuse me then ? " but calmed down 

 on learning, that, although we were not at liberty to supply 

 him with spirits "for consumption off the premises," he could 

 have what he wanted whenever he liked to come aboard. A 

 bottle of Eno fully restored his good humour, and drew forth 

 expressions of friendship : " You good man, I love you ; you do 

 me good turn, I make return." This reciprocity is the basis 

 of Kar Nicobarese relations with strangers — value for value, and 

 no gifts ; although Offandi once presented us with an edible 

 bird's-nest without asking for an equivalent. 



One man, " Sweet William " of Lapati, carried this trait so 

 far, that he wanted a steamer to take him to England, in 

 order that he might there build a house for himself, and occupy 

 a piece of land in lieu of the plot at Mus that has been 

 purchased by the Indian Government. 



The headman was, for a Nicobarese, a very travelled 

 individual, for he had spent a month in Calcutta, ten days in 

 Pcnang, and various periods at Port Blair ; and as a result, had 

 a really working knowledge of several languages. English, 



